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WordPress Backups with a Plugin (The Easy Way)

While the command-line backup script offers maximum control, it's not the most user-friendly approach. For many users, a dedicated backup plugin provides a powerful and accessible alternative with a graphical user interface (GUI).

This guide covers using a plugin to manage your WordPress backups, including automated scheduling and cloud storage integration.

1. Why Use a Plugin?

  • Ease of Use: No command line needed. Everything is managed from your WordPress dashboard.
  • Integrated Cloud Storage: One-click setup to send backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.
  • Simple Restoration: Restore your site with a single click from the plugin's interface.
  • Scheduled Backups: Easily set up daily, weekly, or monthly schedules.

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular and trusted backup plugins for WordPress, with a free version that is more than powerful enough for most sites.

  1. Installation:
    • Log in to your WordPress dashboard (/wp-admin).
    • Go to Plugins -> Add New.
    • Search for "UpdraftPlus".
    • Click Install Now, then Activate.

3. Configuration: Your First Backup

  1. After activation, go to Settings -> UpdraftPlus Backups.
  2. A large "Backup Now" button will be visible. Click it to run your first manual backup.
  3. You can choose to include the database, files, or both.

4. Automated Cloud Backups

This is the most important feature. Let's set up a daily backup to Google Drive.

  1. Navigate to the Settings tab within the UpdraftPlus page.
  2. Files backup schedule: Set to Daily and retain 7 instances (this will keep one week of backups).
  3. Database backup schedule: Set to Daily and retain 7 instances.
  4. Choose your remote storage: Click the Google Drive icon.
  5. Authenticate: Scroll down and click "Save Changes". You will be prompted to follow a link to authorize UpdraftPlus to access your Google Drive account. It will create a dedicated UpdraftPlus folder.
  6. Complete the authentication, and your setup is complete. Backups will now run automatically and be sent to the cloud.

5. Restoring From a Backup

If your site breaks, restoring is simple.

  1. Go to the Backup / Restore tab.
  2. Under "Existing backups," you will see a list of your local and remote backups.
  3. Find the backup you want to restore and click the Restore button.
  4. A wizard will guide you through selecting which components to restore (plugins, themes, database, etc.).

6. Plugin vs. Command Line: Which is Better?

Feature Plugin Method (UpdraftPlus) CLI Method (Script)
Ease of Use Excellent (GUI) Poor (Requires technical skill)
Cloud Sync Built-in, one-click Manual (Requires rclone setup)
Resource Use Higher (PHP process) Very Low (Native tools)
Security Another plugin to secure No extra attack surface
Cost Free (with premium options) Completely Free

Conclusion: For most users, a plugin like UpdraftPlus is the recommended solution due to its simplicity and powerful features. The command-line method is best for developers who want a lightweight, highly-controlled environment with no extra plugins.

Created: March 17, 2026 • Last Modified: February 24, 2026